Chick-fil-A not opening in Hobbs

At the end of June a story about Chick-fil-A opening a restaurant in Hobbs was shared on Facebook sparking hope with many local residents, but unfortunately a Chick-fil-A corporate official confirmed there are no plans for a Lea County opening.

The fake Chick-fil-A news story was created on a website called channel4news.com that allows a person to create a fake story and share it on social media sites to prank their friends. Even though one clicked the Chick-fil-A story link and informed them they were being pranked, the link was shared hundreds of times. The title of the story reads, “Chick fil A has announced that they will be opening in Hobbs, N.M.” The story says, “The CEO of Chick-fil-A Preston Atkins announced earlier this month the family owned franchise will be opening soon in Hobbs, N.M. Coming in the year 2018.”

Chick-fil-A’s CEO is Dan T. Cathy who has held the position since 2013.

Brenda Morrow, Chick-fil-A external communications manager, told the News-Sun the restaurant chain does not currently have any Hobbs locations to confirm.

“We are always evaluating potential new locations in the hopes of serving existing and new customers great food with remarkable service,” Morrow said. “While we hope to serve the Hobbs community in the future, we do not currently have any locations to confirm.”

Many local Facebook users shared the fake Chick-fil-A story on their pages adding to the posts how much they’d like the restaurant chain in Hobbs. “Please tell me this is true I will die,” one local Facebook user wrote.

Another posted, “If this is true I’ve died and gone to HEAVEN!!”

Other local Facebook users caught onto the prank and shared their disappointment along with the fake Chick-fil-A story post on their pages.

“Playing with my food. Is like playing with my emotions …” One person said.

Another posted, “If this isn’t true I’m deleting all social media and throwing my phone in the ocean.”

To become a Chick-fil-A franchise owner there is an initial financial fee of $10,000 to be granted the rights necessary to operate the restaurant-chain, according to the Chick-fil-A website.

“The Chick-fil-A franchise opportunity requires that the individual be free of any other active business ventures and operate the restaurant on a full-time, hands-on basis,” the website states. “Chick-fil-A Operators must successfully complete an extensive, multi-week training program prior to taking over operation of a franchised Chick-fil-A restaurant business.”